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I pickuped up my new 2012 BMW x5 two days ago. I did not see a compact(spare) tire and I asked my sales guy and he told me that X5 does not come with a compact(spare) tire. When I read owner's manual coming with the X5, it is said that a compact tire is located in the cargo area under the floor panel. I am confused.

Yes it is, if you are one of the many who hate the way RFT's ride and handle. And even if you stick with RFT's remember you can ONLY drive them a limited distance when they go flat, and they need to be replaced if you do (not repaired).

But if you like shelling out $600 every time you pick up a nail or screw, that's your business. As Forrest Gump would say, "Stupid is as stupid does."

How is it the DEALER's fault???? Did you order the car built with the spare, but the dealer screwed up? Even so, when the dealer emailed you the build sheet, did you forget to check that all the options were there?

Or is it that YOU forgot to add the option, but it is just more convenient to blame the dealer?

As to the spare "fitting": if you have 3rd row, there is no compartment. If you have no third row, there is a compartment. And the compartment is the same size whether or not a spare is riding in it.

now I am waiting how the dealer will reward all of the inconvenience caused... if he does not, I will write to BMWNA and of course report the whole purchase process on this forum

that is my first new BMW and the purchase process was just horrible (including the pick up day)

I do not have 3rd row, so I will demand they add the spare for 150$ and not for 400-500$ as the market value is

Writing Letters will not do anything but waste your TIME.
It is published information from BMW that spare is not standard equipment.

I too had a bad buying experience. Heck, BMW put in $6K into the new deal to replace a 2008Lemon X5 with 2011 35i X5 already $500 below invoice.

But I was able to get few extras because they had damaged the front nose/hood on the new one prior to delivery.

Thus the dealer and not BMW, put in lifter for cargo floor, cargo cover, flash light, tools, triangle, carpeted and all season mats, 3 free detailing inside out and tire protection included. And of course got a written warranty on the new nose/hood that they replaced.

And gave me a Loaner new 535i for a month while all this was being addressed.

@kanar: Look, either be more forthcoming or stop wasting everyone's time.

Did you email the CA to include a spare in your build? Did he confirm that to you in writing? When he sent you the build sheet for final review, did the factory show the car was being built with a spare? Or did you neglect to review the build sheet and spot the error?

All of this could be handled in a 2 paragraph post, and everyone would be able to judge where the problem lies. Dealers are human, and they make mistakes from time to time. As do buyers. If it truly was the dealer's fault, I expect they will try to do right by you.

@quackbury, sorry, but I do not understand what is your problem in this case (I think that mostly you write no BS)

My question what not whether or not it is dealer's fault that I do not have spare - it is obvious for me and I am not going to discuss it; I was asking about adding spare after the car comes to the dealership

Took delivery of my 2012 X5 today. Attached is a picture of what the spare tire looks like. What is interesting is that when I looked at the options for my vehicle online while it was in production, it only showed one (Sat ratio) of the two options (sat radio and spare tire) I ordered. I had a brief panic but paperwork was accurate showing the options I had ordered. Fortunately, the website was wrong and the vehicle arrived as ordered. Stickers on the spare tire even showed FIFO date of 5/3/2011 which I think suggests the dealer did not do the spare tire install.

Took delivery of my 2012 X5 today. Attached is a picture of what the spare tire looks like. What is interesting is that when I looked at the options for my vehicle online while it was in production, it only showed one (Sat ratio) of the two options (sat radio and spare tire) I ordered. I had a brief panic but paperwork was accurate showing the options I had ordered. Fortunately, the website was wrong and the vehicle arrived as ordered. Stickers on the spare tire even showed FIFO date of 5/3/2011 which I think suggests the dealer did not do the spare tire install.

I have a 2011 X5D also with a run flats. Was also wondering about the lift system for the lid. The manual shows a small hydrauli unit, but the car has none. It does have four holes and a bracket to hold an arm, but no arm The dealer says it is only on European models. I called BMW cust. serv. and a gal said that the part is available. My dealer says not part is available for that, and that I could just use a dowl or piece of wood to hold it open. Anybody know of a part that works? Kind of a pain to hold it open with one hand and access the area. A peice of wood seems rather lame. thanks

Welcome to the 'Fest. You will find there is a really useful "Search" feature on the second menu bar from the top of the page. If you use it, you will find that this topic has been discussed many times.

The strut was standard through 2010, then decontented in US vehicles beginning in MY 2011. The threaded holes remain. The parts are available. IIRC the cost is +/- $10. When you do the Search, you will find the parts numbers.

@kanar: Look, either be more forthcoming or stop wasting everyone's time.

Did you email the CA to include a spare in your build? Did he confirm that to you in writing? When he sent you the build sheet for final review, did the factory show the car was being built with a spare? Or did you neglect to review the build sheet and spot the error?

All of this could be handled in a 2 paragraph post, and everyone would be able to judge where the problem lies. Dealers are human, and they make mistakes from time to time. As do buyers. If it truly was the dealer's fault, I expect they will try to do right by you.